The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-10-20
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS.
THEIR VALUE AND lMPOR-
TANCE TO THE STATE.
A Practical and Sensible View of their
Bearing Toward the Development and
Prosperity Of Country.
Wilmington Messenger. |

Wilmington Messenger
There is not an agricultural Fair
held in North Carolina which does not
bring benefits to the State more than
commensurate with the scope an i'm
portance of the exhibit. This is not
as easily demonstrated as might be de-
sired IN order to carry immediate con-
viCtlon but we have no doubt of the
fact.
There is no industry which equals in
importance the agricultural interests
of a State. We may have immense
manufactures of all kind, and we NAV
dig out Of the earth the most valuable,
the most precious and the most sub
stantial of ores. We may have pro-
fessional men whose services are sought
by the wealthy people of other States.
But, unless those who conduct and
promote the agricultural interests are
encouraged to develop their labor, to
enlarge their territory, and to conduct
their operations according to the most
valuable discoveries Of modern science
and the conditions of modern COM
merce, then the basis upon which the
whole State is reared is an uncertain
one, and the superstructure rests upon
foundation that is by no means sure.
Within the current month there are
to be several Fairs held in North Car
olina. There is to be the State Fair
at Raleigh, the Goldsboro Fair, and
the annual exhibits at Fayetteville, at
Tarboro and at Weldon. Each one of
these events has more than mere local
interest attached to it.
The success of the Raleigh Exposi-
ton and the fine results which have
been obtained heretofore from previous
State Fairs teach us valuable lesson,
one from which we should be quick to
profit. 1t is this: The closer we get to
those who represent the agricultural
interests Of the State, the more cordial
and intelligent relations we establish
with those who contribute so largely
to the welfare of the State, the better
it will be for all classes, and all sorts
and conditions of men in this COM
monwealth. For there is no industry
in this State, or IN any other, for that
matter, which is not dependent upon
the Others which add to the wealth Of
the whole people. So, when the men
of the mountains and the sea side come
together, as they will at Raleigh, and
as they should, also, at Goldsboro and
Weldon, the results which should fol-
low ought to be of the most gratifying
as we'll as the most valuable character.
Primarily these Fairs, or these as
sociations of farmers, merchants, me
chanics, professional men, and the rep
resentatives of the various elements
that 20 to make up commonwealth,
are designed to promote business rela-
tions. While this is the primary object,
it is by no means the most important
one, as we view the matter. Something
better and nobler than this should be
accomplished. These are occasions
on which men representing various,
sometimes conflicting, interests are
brought together. If the result is a
better understanding between them
the abolition Of old misunderstanding
the promulgation of better and more
practical views, then more has been
: accomplished than would be in mere
trade negtiaotions and the esprit da
corbs Of the State, taken as whole, ha:
been improved.
1t is this esprit dn corps, this pride
of State, that we are anxious to SEE
S stimulated and increased. We have
our own views upol the subject, anc
we are satisfied that if there were NOR,
a pride Of commonwealth within ou
{ borders, more honest pleasure, nay
. even amiable and well-timed boastful
. ness felt and expressed by every Nortl
I Carolinian over the fact that he has
t proud birthright in his North Caro-
e linian citizenship, then every reproacl
:. which has been leveled at the State b.
|. hostile and censorious critics woul,
IS vanish and be no longer heard. AM
s the more often our people of variou
y sections meet together, the nearer W
" will draw to a common citizenship
: based upon real pride in past tradition
e and present resources and promise
1t Hence, indeed, we look for most val
d liable results. The farmers. merchant
II and manufacturers all brought togethe
W in communion will realize the impor
Of tance of the interests which all repre-
n sent. Then, by interchange of senti
IS ment, by comparison of opinion, b
!. going over the past, discussing tn
y present, and looking intelligently i
=, the face of the future, they will realiz
what cause there is for State pride
70 They will then be convinced that III
re glory of the commonwealth will be be:
IS promoted by unity of action. 1t ma
he demonstrated to them how inte
dependent are all the industries az
d interests Of the State, and how nece
cary n SC that there Shortd IL. caurP